PPBM’s ‘Sabah for Malaysia’ slogan not for us, say opposition parties

Sabah Umno communications and strategic director Ghazalie Ansing (left) and STAR president Jeffrey Kitingan.

KOTA KINABALU: PPBM’s “Sabah for Malaysia” concept will not gain traction among Sabahans as it only proves the state will continue to remain subservient to Putrajaya, two opposition leaders said.

Sabah Umno communications and strategic director Ghazalie Ansing said PPBM state chief Hajiji Mohd Noor needs to be reminded that their priorities are not to the federal leaders, but to Sabahans who will decide their future in the next election.

He said the “Sabah for Sabahans” slogan will remain relevant as the people are becoming aware that Sabah lacks behind in many areas compared to Peninsular Malaysia.

“The slogan ‘Sabah for Malaysia’ may be a positive idea to improve state-federal ties but Hajiji must know that as long as the development between Sabah and the peninsula remains unequal, the ‘Sabah for Sabahans’ slogan will remain the common call due to the imbalances despite Sabah’s equal status in the federation,” Ghazalie said here today.

Hajiji had unveiled the “Sabah for Malaysia” slogan on Oct 20 in a bid to promote Sabah-federal ties, describing the parochial “Sabah for Sabahans” slogan as designed only to fish for the people’s support.

Ghazalie, who is also the Tawau Umno chief, said Hajiji should have demanded that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad implement the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) or at least give Sabah one-third of the development allocation in the 2020 Budget if he is sincere in wanting to strengthen Sabah-federal ties.

He said Sabah only received 9% or RM5.2 billion of the development allocation in the budget.

“In reality, the Pakatan Harapan government had promised in its election manifesto to realise Sabah’s 40% special grant and 20% oil royalty, and revert to equal status and other terms as stated in MA63.

“Hajiji needs to stop his propaganda to hide the failure of his party chairman Dr Mahathir and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng to realise the pledges made to Sabah and Sarawak in accordance with MA63,” he said.

Unlike PPBM, Sabah Umno has been granted autonomy in its affairs and the matter is expected to be made official during an Umno assembly scheduled in November.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had also promised to return all Sabah rights as per MA63 if the party wins back Putrajaya in the 15th general election.

Meanwhile, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) president Jeffrey Kitingan also questioned the “Sabah for Malaysia” concept.

“It has double meaning. The Malays say that Malaysia is for the Malays, as what I have gathered from the Malay Dignity Congress.

“If we say that Sabah is for Malaysia, are we not saying or agreeing that Sabah is also for the Malays, and therefore agreeing to ketuanan Melayu? This I disagree.

“The other meaning may be Sabah supports its position in Malaysia. Although this is more acceptable, Sabahans are generally still unhappy because their rights and special position continue to be ignored by Putrajaya,” he told FMT. - FMT